The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-03-01
CAM nj removal.

Under the above heading The
Versailles, Morgan county Messenger
Gazette contains the following
straight forward truthful words:
SIT is difficult to understand the
"hul labaloo" made by Jefferson City
over the proposed submission of a
plain proposition TO the people of
the state. To Strangers, it would ap
pear that the present general assem-
bly, was about to put the capitol into
the breeches pocket Of Sedalia or
Bonneville, in spite of SHADES or
high water" and that the eminently
respectable citizens of Jefferson City,
were making desperate exertions to
avoid the imminent peril. No such
issue is presented. The question is,
as to whether the people of the state
shall vote on this, as on all other
propositions. That is the issue /;
and there is principle in
volved in it that will not
down, and which can neither &c
smothered nor ignored. A great pa
rade is made about the cost, in case
of removal. That question is not be-
fore the people; it will come up legit-
imately, when the proposition is SUBJ
mitted to them to be voted upon.
But if it were all issue now, why
should Jefferson City raise such a
howl over the cost to the people of
the State? Since when, has that city
been the peculiar guardian of the
state treasury? When, and where,
has she ever raised her voice to pro-
test against taxing the people. TO raise
the thousands of dollars that have
been expended by the state in
her interest? The state does not be-
long to Jefferson City, fnanci-
ally, nor politically; though
is seems some Of the citizens do not
recognize that fact. Why resort to
doubtful! expedients, and downright
misrepresentation, to prevent an ex-
preston of the will of the people. Is
Jefferson City so thoroughly convinc.
ed that the capital ought to be remov-
ed, thas it is afraid TO let the people
vote ON it? Vox pOpuli est vox Del,
is an old maxim; let not Jefferson
City attempt TO thwart it. Has that
very small portion of the people of the
state any right to say, that although
a maj ority of the voters and taxpayers
want the capital removed, it shall not
be done, so long as they can, "by
ways that are dark and tricks that
are vain, prevent the people of the
state from havirg any voice in the
matter? Do not shirk or dodge
stand up like men if you are right
they will endorse you; if not, they
will vote the capital away from you,
as they have the uHdoubted right to
do.
Learned articles have been written
on the constitutional aspect of the
question, which if correct, are insup-
cradle, and the capital is In no danger
of removal. Why then persist? 1t
is to the interest of Jefferson city to
have this question settled. The
senate has indefinitely postponed q
bill passed by the house submitting
the question of prohibition. Doubt
less, the Jefferson City saloon had a
good deal to do in causing that result.
The same principle is involved in both
cases the right of the people to be
heard on all question affecting their
interest; and they will be heard. 1t
is a principl that will become aggres.
i've in every county in the state in the
next two years-thousands of respect
able citizens are behind it, and the
question must be fairly met. and an
swered.
Deny the people The right to vote
on any question of public interest,
and the days of democratic rule in
the state are numbered. But what
care the people of Jefferson City?
Cole county is republican {; and that
city presumes it would have equal, if
not better, facilities for grabs" at
the public treasury under republican,
as euder democratic state admins
Lration. And when the state is turned
over to republicanism, bound hand
and foot, by the short-sighted and sui |
;idal policy of Jefferson City, what is |
The assurance that the agitation of the |
question will then cease? Ii it can
be prevented, the democratic party of |
his state ought not to be allowed to
90 to the devil through the purblind
and short-sighted policy of Jefferson
City, induced by intense and domi-
leering selfishness.
. Police Court.